[Openexr-user] License question

[Mario Fichtenmayer]

hello,

Because i needed exr-support for some java-projects i decided to write
an exr-library for java.
I finished the reading part and i hope i can release the writing part in
the next days.
What do i have to consider when i publish it as open source?
Does it suffice to use the BSD-license like the original openexr-library?
What else do i have to do?
Who/what is to be mentioned?

give my regards
Mario Fichtenmayer

[Drew Hess]

Post by Mario Fichtenmayer
hello,
Because i needed exr-support for some java-projects i decided to write
an exr-library for java.
I finished the reading part and i hope i can release the writing part
in the next days.
What do i have to consider when i publish it as open source?
Does it suffice to use the BSD-license like the original openexr-library?
What else do i have to do?
Who/what is to be mentioned?

Hi Mario,

Since you wrote it in Java, you obviously didn't use any of the
OpenEXR C++ code. That means you own it and can publish it (or not
publish it, your choice) under whatever license you like.

The BSD license has proven to be a good choice for image file format
libraries -- it's the license used by at least 3 successful ones
(libpng, libtiff and ILM OpenEXR).

d

[Florian Kainz]

Hi Mario,

as Drew Hess says, the BSD license has been used successfully
for a number of projects, and it is probably an appropriate
choice.

However, your email address suggests that you live in Germany,
and I should point out that the BSD license was crafted in the
United States, according to U.S. law. The BSD license disclaims
all warranties and liabilities; this may not be valid in Germany.

If you are concerned about consequences such as the possibility
of someone alleging that your code infringes on patents or
copyright, or someone claiming that your software injured someone
or otherwise caused harm, you may want to consult a lawyer,
preferrably one with open-source software experience.

Florian

Post by Mario Fichtenmayer
hello,
Because i needed exr-support for some java-projects i decided to write
an exr-library for java.
I finished the reading part and i hope i can release the writing part in
the next days.
What do i have to consider when i publish it as open source?
Does it suffice to use the BSD-license like the original openexr-library?
What else do i have to do?
Who/what is to be mentioned?
give my regards
Mario Fichtenmayer
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[Mario Fichtenmayer]

Hi Drew and Florian,

thank you for your fast answers.
I'm relieved that there is no problem with ILM.
That was my main concern.
Unfortunately i'm a poor german student and can't afford a lawyer :-/
Since i reuse a lot of the original C-Code (especially in the context of
the B44-Compression)
it's very important for me not to get in trouble with ILM.

The problem with european/german laws is another one,
because nobody knows which bizarre ideas people might have when they can
afford a lawyer *g*

Since the most open source projects in germany use the GPL / LGPL (just
my impression)
i hope it wouldn't make a difference if i use the GPL either, instead of
BSD.
I chose the BSD-license because of the original but when i think of the
non-US-lawyers
i start to feel a little bit uncomfortable.

Mario

PS
sorry that i forgot to mention where i live, it absolutely clear that
this is important for this question.
Next thing i spend money for will be an english-refresh-course instead
of a lawyer ;-)

Post by Drew Hess
Hi Mario,
as Drew Hess says, the BSD license has been used successfully
for a number of projects, and it is probably an appropriate
choice.
However, your email address suggests that you live in Germany,
and I should point out that the BSD license was crafted in the
United States, according to U.S. law. The BSD license disclaims
all warranties and liabilities; this may not be valid in Germany.
If you are concerned about consequences such as the possibility
of someone alleging that your code infringes on patents or
copyright, or someone claiming that your software injured someone
or otherwise caused harm, you may want to consult a lawyer,
preferrably one with open-source software experience.
Florian

[Daniel Léonard]

Hello,

Post by Florian Kainz
However, your email address suggests that you live in Germany,
and I should point out that the BSD license was crafted in the
United States, according to U.S. law. The BSD license disclaims
all warranties and liabilities; this may not be valid in Germany.

The German company behind jGoodies (www.jgoodies.com and
jgoodies.dev.java.net ) releases its libraries under the BSD license.

Regards,

Daniel Léonard